By Tricia Austin
Thursday 22 April was Earth Day, an international day that focuses on positive action for our planet and its people.
The official Earth Day website states: “We must restore our Earth not just because we care about the natural world, but because we live on it. Every one of us needs a healthy Earth to support our jobs, livelihoods, health and survival, and happiness.”
It goes on: “Environmental issues are intricately connected to social justice and equity. The transition to a sustainable world must include addressing injustices and designing solutions that benefit all communities.”
To mark this year’s Earth Day, Thanet Green Party is calling on Thanet District Council and Kent County Council to demonstrate their commitment to our planet and its people by:
- actively working to build on the success of our wind farms to develop a clean energy/ green technology park in Thanet that will provide decent, sustainable jobs and training opportunities for local people
- working together to provide domestic and on-street recycling services that are fit for purpose and encourage & support residents in their efforts to do the right thing
- protecting and enhancing the green spaces that nurture our physical and mental health, by planting and maintaining more trees, ending the use of weedkiller and preserving our greenfield sites from rampant development.
- following their respective Climate Emergency declarations in 2019, ensuring they are actively pursuing net zero carbon emissions through all their actions and decisions.
In the words of the Earth Day campaign: “A healthy planet is not an option-it is a necessity.”